Cored roll arbor

ABSTRACT

An arbor for supporting a roll of sheet material wound on a hollow core having axial slots formed in one end thereof. The arbor comprises a cylinder slidably fitting into the roll core and supporting axially movable keys rotatable with the cylinder and biased to fit into the core end slots to positively couple the roll core to the arbor for rotation therewith. Axially stationary and radially biased wedges are supported by the cylinder and abut the opposite end of the core to restrict axial movement of the roll core and maintain the keys in the core end slots.

United States Patent Ulseth CORED ROLL ARBOR [72] Inventor: John W. Ulseth, Roseville, Minn.

[73] Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn.

[22] Filed: March 1, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 122,562

[ 5] Nov. 28, 1972 57 v ABSTRACT An arbor for supporting a roll of sheet material wound on a hollow core having axial slots formed in one end thereof. The arbor comprises a cylinder slidably fitting into the roll core and supporting axially movable keys rotatable with the cylinder and biased to fit into the core end slots to positively couple the roll core to the arbor for rotation therewith. Axially stationary and radially biased wedges are supported by the cylinder and abut the opposite end of the core to restrict axial movement of the roll core and maintain the keys in the core end slots i 9 Claims, 3 Figures 1 CORED ROLL ARBOR BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION The prior art has provided many ways of supporting the core of a roll of sheet material and'for linking the core to an arbor for rotation therewith to support the roll and to facilitate withdrawal of the sheet material from the roll. One of the most convenient and economical methods has been by forming the roll core with a pair of axially extending slots at one end thereof and forming the arbor with complementary axial projections. In the prior art, such an arbor has been defined by a pair of end plates and an interconnecting shaft. One of theend plates is formed with the axial projections and the interconnecting shaft is secured coaxially to this end plate. The free end of the shaft is threaded and the opposite end plate is formed with a central threaded aperture. The arbor is assembled in the roll core by passing the shaft through the core until the projections in theend plate mate with the slots in the core and then turning the opposite end plate onto the threaded portion of the shaft. Obviously this method is disadvantageous in that it requires two hands to complete the assembly and an additional support for the roll of sheet material while the arbor is being assembled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION .The arbor of the present invention overcomes the afore-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art by its unitary construction. The arbor comprises a hollow cylinder having an external diameter to fit within the bore of the roll core. Wedges are supported adjacent one end of the cylinder and they are resiliently biased radially outward to incline them to the periphery of the cylinder progressing axially toward the opposite end of the cylinder. The wedges are radially depressible to a position flush with the periphery of the cylinder. A pair of similar keys are supported adjacent the opposite end of the cylinder, project from the periphery of the cylinder to fit into the slots at the end of the roll core and are coupled to the cylinder to prevent relative rotation while permitting relative axial movement. The keys are supported for axial movement together from a first position spaced from the wedges a distance less than the length of the roll core to a second position spaced from the wedges a distance at least equal to the length of the roll core and the keys are resiliently biased toward their first position. Thus, without aligning the core end slots with the keys, the slotted end of the roll core may be slipped onto the end of the cylinder adjacent the wedges until the opposite end of the core passes over the wedges. The wedges are then biased radially outward to capture the roll core between themselves and the keys. The core may then be rotated to align the core end slots with the keys, and the protruding portions of the keys will be biased into the slots to couple the core to the cylinder for rotation therewith.

The Drawing In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is .a plan view of an arbor constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the arbor taken generally along line 22 of FIG. 1 with a roll of sheet material supported thereon; and

FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line 3-.3 of FIG. 1.

- Referring now to the drawing there is illustrated an arbor, generally designated 10, constructed in accordance with the present invention and formed to support the core 12 of a roll of sheet material 14, which core is formed at one end with a pair of axially extending diametrically opposed slots 16 and 17.

The arbor includes a hollow cylinder 19 having an external diameter to fit within the bore of the roll core 12. The cylinder is formed adjacent one end with a pair of similar, rectangular, diametrically opposed, axially extending keyways 21 and 22. Adjacent its opposite end, the cylinder 19 is formed with a pair of similar, square, diametrically opposed wedge apertures 24 and 25. The axial spacing between the keyways 21 and 22 and the wedge apertures 24 and 25 is less than the axial length of the roll core 12 less the axial length of the slots 16 and 17in the end of the roll core for a purpose which will be hereinafter described.

A pair of truncated wedges 27 and 28 are fitted one in each of the wedge apertures 24 and 25, respectively,

with their direction of inclination directed axially. toward the keyway end of the cylinder 19. The surface of the cylinder 19 is milled across the wedge apertures 24 and 25 perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder to produce reliefs in the periphery of the cylinder along each axial edge of the wedge apertures 24 and 25. The exposed surfaces of the wedges 27 and 28 are radiused and they are formed with flanges along their axial edges which cooperate with the relieved axial edges along the wedge apertures so that a wedge set in its aperture will be supported by its flanges with its exposed surface flush with the periphery of the cylinder 19. A leaf spring 30 is deformed to a U-shape within the cylinder 19 and its ends are secured one to each of the wedges 27 and 28 to bias the thicker end of each wedge radially outward beyond the periphery of the cylinder 19 while maintaining the thinner end of each wedge flush with the periphery of the cylinder. Thus, the exposed inclined surfaces of the wedges define cam surfaces over which the roll core may slide to depress the wedges as the slotted end of the roll core is slipped onto the wedge end of the cylinder.

A rectangular bar 32 extends through the cylinder 19 and the keyways 21 and 22. The bar 32 has a length greater than the external diameter of the cylinder 19 and less than the external diameter of the roll core 12, a width less than the length of the keyways 21 and 22, and a thickness generally equal to the width of the slots 16 and 17 in the end of the roll core 12. The ends of the bar 32 define a pair of keys supported for movement together along the keyways, each protruding from the periphery of the cylinder 19 a distance less than the wall thickness of the roll core 12 to fit in one of the slots in the end of the roll core. These keys are coupled to the cylinder to prevent relative rotation while per-- end of the cylinder 19 and normally against one end of I the keyways 21 and 22 (see HO. 1 The bar 32 is formed with recesses 36 at its points of contact with the spring 35 to prevent radial movement of the bar 32 relative to the cylinder 19. The bar 32 is biased against the end of the keyways 21 and 22 by the helical spring 35 to a first position with its protruding ends or keys axially spaced from the wedges 27 and 28 a distance less than the axial length of the roll core 12 less the axial length of the roll core slots 16 and 17. The length of the keyways and the width of the bar are chosen so that when the bar is moved against the bias of the helical spring to a second position against the opposite ends of the keyways the protruding ends of the bar are axially spaced from the wedges a distance at least equal to the axial length of the roll core.

ln use, the slotted end of a roll core 12 is slipped onto the wedge end of the arbor cylinder 19 over the wedges 27 and 28, depressing them radially inward against the bias of the leaf spring 30 to position their exposed sur-' faces tlush with the periphery of the cylinder 19 as can be seen in phantom lines in H6. 2 with respect to the wedge 28. The arbor 10 and the roll core 12 are then moved axially relative to each other until the slot-free or opposite end of the roll core 12 passes over the wedges 27 and 28 which are then biased outward by the leaf spring 30 to capture the roll core 12 between the wedges 27 and 28 and the bar 32. As the slot-free end of the roll core passes over thewedges 27 and 28, the slotted end of the core contacts the bar 32 and moves it against the bias of the helical spring 35. At this time the slots 16 and 17 need not be aligned with the ends of the bar 32 since the bar may be moved completely to its second position against the ends of the keyways 21 and 22 to accommodate the entire length of the roll core 12. If the slots are not aligned, the arbor 10 or the roll may then be rotated to align the slots with the ends of the bar 32. The helical spring 35 will then bias the rectangular bar 32 and move its ends into and against the ends of the slots 16 and 17 in the roll core 12. The roll core is then axially constrained between the rectangular bar 32 and the wedges 27 and 28 to prevent relative axial movement between the arbor l and the roll core 12. The cooperation of the ends of the rectangular bar 32 with the slots 16 and 17 in the roll core 12 prevent relative rotation between the arbor and the roll core. Thus, for example, the exposed ends of the arbor cylinder 19 may be appropriately supported to permit withdrawal of the sheet material 14 from the roll core 12 or they may be supported and driven to unwind the sheet material from the roll.

When all of the sheet material 14 has been removed from the roll core 12 the roll core may be easily removed from the arbor by manually depressing the wedges 27 and 28 against the bias of the leaf spring 30 and simultaneously moving the arbor and the roll core axially relative to each other. After the roll core 12 has been started over the depressed wedges it will contain them flush with the periphery of the cylinder 19 until the slotted end of the roll core 12 passes over'the wedges. A fresh roll of sheet material 14 may then be placed on the arbor 10.

I claim:

1. An arbor for supporting a hollow cylindrical core of a roll of sheet material, which core is formed at one end with a pair of axially extending, diametrically opposed slots, said arbor comprising:

a hollow cylinder having an external diameter to fit within the roll core,

wedge means supported adjacent one end of said cylinder formovement from an inclined position with its end farthest removed from said one end of said cylinder radially outward beyond the periphery of said cylinder to a position flush with the periphery of said-cylinder,

first resilient meansfor biasing said wedge means toward its said inclined position to incline said wedge means to the periphery of said cylinder progressing axially toward the opposite end of said cylinder,

a pair of similar keys supported in diametrically opposed relationship adjacent said opposite end of said cylinder, which keys project from the periphery of said cylinder to fit into the slots in the end of the .roll core and which are supported for axial movement from a first position axially spaced from said wedge meansa distance less than the length of the roll core to a second position axially spaced from said wedge means a distance at least equal to the length of'the roll core,

second resilient means for biasing said keys toward their said first position, and

means for coupling said keys to said cylinder to prevent relative rotation while permitting said axial movement,

. whereby, withoutaligning the core end slots with said keys, the slotted end of the core may be slipped onto the end of said cylinder adjacent said wedge'means until the opposite end of the core passes over said wedge means which is then biased outward to capture the core, the core may then be rotated to align the core end slots with said keys and the protruding portions of said keys will be biased into the slots to couple the core to said cylinder for rotation therewith.

2. A arbor as recited in claim 1 wherein said wedge means comprises a pair of wedge members fitted one in each of a pair of similar diametrically opposed apertures formed in said cylinder. I

3. An arbor as recited in claim 2 wherein said first resilient means comprises a leaf spring deformed to a U-shape within said cylinder and secured to said wedge members, one adjacenteach of its ends.

4. An arbor as recited in claim 1 wherein said keys are supported at said first position spaced axially from said wedge means a distance less than the axial length of the roll core less the axial length of the slots therein, whereby said keys are resiliently urged into and against .the ends of the slots in the core when the opposite end of the core is captured by and contacts said wedge means to prevent relative axial movement between the core and said cylinder.

5. An arbor v as recited in claim 1 wherein said keys project from the periphery ofv said cylinder a distance less than the wall thickness of the roll core to prevent interference between said keys and a sheet material wound on the core and having a width equal to the length of the core.

6. An arbor as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for coupling said keys to said cylinder comprises a pair of similar, axially extending, diametrically opposed keyways formed in said cylinder adjacent said'opposite end thereof and said keys extending into said keyways.

7. An arbor as recited in claim 6 wherein said pair of keys is defined by the ends, of a bar extending through said cylinder and said keyways.

8. An arbor as recited in claim 7 wherein a collar is secured to the interior wall of said cylinder at the end thereof adjacent said keyways and wherein said second 

1. An arbor for supporting a hollow cylindrical core of a roll of sheet material, which core is formed at one end with a pair of axially extending, diametrically opposed slots, said arbor comprising: a hollow cylinder having an external diameter to fit within the roll core, wedge means supported adjacent one end of said cylinder for movement from an inclined position with its end farthest removed from said one end of said cylinder radially outward beyond the periphery of said cylinder to a position flush with the periphery of said cylinder, first resilient means for biasing said wedge means toward its said inclined position to incline said wedge means to the periphery of said cylinder progressing axially toward the opposite end of said cylinder, a pair of similar keys supported in diametrically opposed relationship adjacent said opposite end of said cylinder, which keys project from the periphery of said cylinder to fit into the slots in the end of the roll core and which are supported for axial movement from a first position axially spaced from said wedge means a distance less than the length of the roll core to a second position axially spaced from said wedge means a distance at least equal to the length of the roll core, second resilient means for biasing said keys toward their said first position, and means for coupling said keys to said cylinder to prevent relative rotation while permitting said axial movement, whereby, without aligning the core end slots with said keys, the slotted end of the core may be slipped onto the end of said cylinder adjacent said wedge means until the opposite end of the core passes over said wedge means which is then biased outward to capture the core, the core may then be rotated to align the core end slots with said keys and the protruding portions of said keys will be biased into the slots to couple the core to said cylinder for rotation therewith.
 2. A arbor as recited in claim 1 wherein said wedge means comprises a pair of wedge members fitted one in each of a pair of similar diametrically opposed apertures formed in said cylinder.
 3. An arbor as recited in claim 2 wherein said first resilient means comprises a leaf spring deformed to a U-shape within said cylinder and secured to said wedge members, one adjacent each of its ends.
 4. An arbor as recited in claim 1 wherein said keys are supported at said first position spaced axially from said wedge means a distance less than the axial length of the roll core less the axial length of the slots therein, whereby said keys are resiliently urged into and against the ends of the slots in the core when the opposite end of the core is captured by and contacts said wedge means to prevent relative axial movement between the core and said cylinder.
 5. An arbor as recited in claim 1 wherein said keys project from the periphery of said cylinder a distance less than the wall thickness of the roll core to prevent interference between said keys and a sheet material wound on the core and having a width equal to the length of the core.
 6. An arbor as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for coupling said keys to said cylinder comprises a pair of similar, axially extending, diametrically opposed keyways formed in said cylinder adjacent said opposite end thereof and said keys extending into said keyways.
 7. An arbor as recited in claim 6 wherein said pair of keys is defined by the ends of a bar extending through said cylinder and said keyways.
 8. An arbor as recited in claim 7 wherein a collar is secured to the interior wall of said cylinder at the end thereof adjacent said keyways and wherein said second resilient means comprises a helical compression spring between said collar and said bar.
 9. An arbor as recited in claim 8 wherein said bar is formed with recesses at its points of contact with said compression spring to prevent radial movement of said bar relative to said cylinder. 